Wire connecting tool



Oct. 20,- 1953 H. A. MILOCHE 2,655,953

' I WIRE CONNECTING TOOL Filed June 6, 1947 INVENTOR H. A. M/LOC HEATTORNEY Patented Oct. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WIRECONNECTING 'i'ooL Her-man A. Miloche-, Teane'ck, N. J., assigno'r toBell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Yr, acorporation of New York Application June 6, 1947, Serial No. 752,895

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to wire connecting tools and more particularly tohand tools for connect ing wire to electrical terminals.

The invention provides a shaft rotatably housed in a body member whichmay be grasped in the hand. The shaft is provided with a hole axiallytherein and opening on one end of said shaft. It is not necessary, aswill be appreciated by skilled persons from a reading of Subsequentdescription, that the hole be exactly symmetrical with respect to theaxis of the shaft. It is necessary only that such hol'e be substantiallyaxial. In addition to the axial hole, the shaft is provided with anotherhole or aperture or groove situated longitudinally of said shaft andopening on the said one end thereof but offset radially from said axialhole. An end of a Wire is intended t be placed in the said other hole oraperture or groe've and may be gripped frictionally thereby. Anelectrical terminal, to which said wire is to be connected, isinsertable into the said axial hole. With the wire and terminal in thisposition a rotary motion is imparted to the shaft such that the grippedend of said wire is wrapped spirally about the said terminal. Axialmotion may be imparted to said shaft simultaneously with the rotarymotion to insure that the spiral of wire conforms to a helical spiralabout said terminal.

A detailed description of one embodiment of the invention; generallydescribed above, is here inafter set forth in conjunction with the drawing forming a part of this disclosure. The various figures of saiddrawing are described generally asfollows:

Fig. 1 shows the invention embodied in a pliertype tool in position foruse;

Fig. 2 is a perspective enlargement of certain details of the inventionto be explained;

I Fig. 3 is a perspective enlargement similar to Fig. 2 but disclosing amodified structure;

H Figs. 4 and 5 are views of the operating end of the shaft of the toolof Fig. l;

Fig.- 6 is an end view of the tool of Fig.- 2 when in condition foroperation;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged view of the shaft and its gearing whereby bothrotary and axial motion may be imparted to said shaft if so desired; and

Fig. 8 is an end view of a modified form of the said tool.

Referring to Fig. 1, a 'plier-likeconstruction is shown as an exemplaryembodiment of the invention. A body member I has hinged or pivotedthereto two levers or arms 2 and 3. Arm 3 is normally separatedfroi'nthe handle portion 4 of body member I by being biased under theac= 2 tion of a spring 5 fixed to arms 3 at 6 and enga ing handle 4at 1. Attached to handle '4. by means 'of rivets or other suitablefastening means a. is an angle frame 9 comprising a base portion In andaweb portion I I. Housed in body member I, as a bearing journal, is ashaft I2 which has fixed to its rearward portion a pinion gear I3,secured to shaft I2 by such means as a set screw I4. The outermostrearward end of the shaft l2 may; in one type or tool, be upset at I5 toprovide, in cooperation with pinion I3, confining means to precludeaxial movement of shaft I2, the upright I I having a suitable holetherein to accom= modate shaft I2 inthe nature of a bearing surface.Attached to the free end of arm 3 is a rack I6 located between pinion I3and the base III of angle frame 91. Rack I6 is intended to engage pinionI3 in a well-known manner to rotate shaft I2 when arm 3 is squeezedtoward the handle 4 by the hand of an operator. A lug I l on the end ofrack I6 is located so as to engage a pin II! in the base II] in order tofix the position of shaft I2 when in it's normal position, as shown inFig. l, and as subsequently explained. The forward port .tion I9 of thebody member I is more clearly explained with reference to other figuresof the drawing. as also is the movable jaw 20 actuated by arm 2.- InFig. 1 the tool is shown in proper relation to an electrical terminal 2I, attached to an electrical apparatus 22, such as a relay. The tool hasengaged therein a wire 23 which the tool is capable of attaching toterminal 2| as will be explained.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 in particular, the end of shaft I 2 which ishoused in the forward pc'i'rtion l9 of the body I of the tool is formedas a some= what conical or countersunk surface 24. A hole oi bore 25 isprovided along the axis of the shaft I2 and may be of any suitablelength, such as to point 26 of Fig. 1. Such hole or bore 25 need not beexactly and symmetrically axial of the shaft I2. As long as the hole orbore 25 is substantially axial the tool will functien properly, as willbeappreciated by those skilled in the art. The bore 25 should be ofsufiicient diameter siich that it can accommodate freely a terminal,such as the wire terminal M of Fig. 1, or siieh as a flat terminal orfar that matter any configuration of electrical terminal to which saidwire is to be eonneted. A slot or groove 21 is cut in shaft It. thedepth of which in the radial direction of said shaft IZis' notsufficient to connect same with bore 25. Fig. 5 the slot 21 is shown tonear'n 'enter' the bore 25 and Fig. 6 the slot 21' is likewiseillustrated as being radial and nearly entering bore 25. Of course thedepth is arbitrary as is the direction of the depth of slot 21, it beingperfectly feasible and practical to have the slot 21 ofiset from aradial position or in any other direction desired. The width of slot 21is made approximately the same as the diameter of wire to beaccommodated therein, as shown in Fig. 6. The leading edges 23 of theslot 21 are purposefully made sharp in order more efliciently tofrictionally grip the skinned or bare end 29 of wire 23.

As previously mentioned, a stop pin I8 is provided on base ll) of frame9 in order to determine the normal rotary position of shaft I2. Thisnormal position is represented in Figs. 2 and 6 where the slot Z'I ofshaft I2 communicates with a similar cut 32 in the top of the forwardend IQ of body member I. This cut 30 is located at the bottom of a Vgroove 3I formed in the the forward end I9 to facilitate entry of barewire 29 into slot 2? of shaft I2. The underside of the movable jaw 29 isconstructed as a wedge 32 which is arranged to cooperate with the Vgroove SI as shown best in Fig. 6. A ridge 33 is provided' along thebottom of wedge 32 and this ridge 33 is intended to assist wire 29 inbecoming accommodated in slot 2'! as shown by Fig. 6.

With wire 29 in slot 2's and movable jaw 20 in position as shown by Fig.6, a lip 34 provides a securing means for wire 29 so that said wirecannot revolve with shaft I2. An alternate means of securing said wireagainst rotation is illustrated in Fig. 3 as a lug 35. Motion of arm 3of the tool of Fig. 1 will move rack I6 which in turn will rotate shaftI2 by means of pinion I3. When the tool, in the normal condition shownin Fig. 6, is brought into operating position it will engage a terminal2! in the bore 25 as shown by Fig. l and as indicated by arrow 38 ofFig. 2. When shaft I2 is at this time rotated in the direction of arrow3i of Fig. 2, bare wire 29 will be dragged about terminal 2 I to formtwo or three tight turns (see 38 of Fig. 3). The end of bare wire 29,having been gripped by the sharp edges 28 of slot 21, has remained inslot 21 and the rest of wire 29 was dragged about terminal 2 I, thismotion pulling the insulated wire 23 in the direction of arrow 39 ofFig. 3 to a position shown by Fig. 3.

In Fig. 7 is illustrated an enlargement of the pinion I3, set screw It,shaft I2, rack I6, base plate II] and upright I I. This figure provides,instead of upset end I of shaft I2 as in Fig. 1, a threaded end 48 forshaft I2, which threaded end 40 is in cooperation with suitable threadsin the hole through upright II. This modification permits shaft I2 to bemoved axially in the direction of arrows 4| as rack I5 is moved in thedirection of arrows 42. This axial motion II of shaft I2 will insurethat the turns 38 (see Fig. 3) of wire 29 will conform as nearly aspossible to a helix about terminal 2| due to a recession of shaft I2 inthe direction 43 (see Fig. 3) as wire 29 is dragged about terminal 2 I.

The modification of the construction of the operating end of shaft I2shown in Fig. 8 is of a type contemplated by the scope of thisinvention. That is, the bore 25 may cooperate with a hole 44 equally aswell as with such slots or grooves as 2! of the type of shaft as shownin Figs. 4 and 6 for instance. In case such a hole 44 is preferred theforward portion I9 of the body member I of the tool will preferablyconfine shaft I2 on all sides as shown in Fig. 8, instead of having a Vgroove opening on the top of the shaft I2 such as 3I of Fig. 2. Likewisethe movable jaw of Fig. 1 would be unnecessary. The construction of Fig.8 may be provided with a lug 35 similarly to the structure of Fig. 3 andfor the same purpose. It of course would be necessary with the structureof Fig. 8, that the wire be inserted into hole 45 instead of beingdeposited in a slot or groove such as shown in Fig. 2. The terminalwould still be accommodated by the axial bore 25 as with the other typesand the action of the tool would be the same.

There are numerous embodiments of this invention other than theparticular ones disclosed and since it is not intended that the scope ofthe invention be limited to the particular disclosures set forth hereinclaims are appended which alone define the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a bodymember housing a rotatable shaft therein, means associated with saidbody member for rotating said shaft, the forward portion of said shafthaving a circular substantially axial bore into which bore one end ofsaid terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft beingprovided with an opening separated radially from said axial bore andextending substantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantiallyparallel to said axial bore, said opening adapted to have insertedtherein one end of said wire, and arranged to position said one end ofsaid wire substantially parallel to said axial bore and guiding meansfor said wire on the forward end of the body of said tool, said tooladapted when said shaft is rotated to secure the said wire spirallyabout said one end of said terminal.

2. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a bodymember housing a rotatable shaft therein, means associated with saidbody member for rotating said shaft, the forward portion of said shafthaving a circular substantially axial bore into which bore one end ofsaid terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft beingprovided with a hole opening on the forward end of said shaft andseparated radially from said axial bore and extending substantiallylongitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axialbore, said hole adapted to have inserted therein one end of said wireand arranged to position said one end of said wire substantiallyparallel to said axial bore, and guiding means for said wire on theforward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted when said shaftis rotated to secure the said wire spirally about said one end of saidterminal.

3. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a bodymember housing a rotatable shaft therein, means associated with saidbody member for rotating said shaft, the forward portion of said shafthaving a circular substantially axial bore into which bore one end ofsaid terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft beingprovided with a circular hole opening on the forward end of said shaftand separated radially from said axial bore and extending substantiallylongitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axialbore, said circular hole adapted to have inserted therein one end ofsaid wire and arranged to position said one end of said wiresubstantially parallel to said axial bore, and guiding means for saidwire on;

the forward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted when saidshaft is rotated to secure the said wire spirally about said one end ofsaid ter-. n l.

4%. A. hand. tool; for; securing: wire: electric terminals" comprising abody membeuhousing; a. rotatable;- shaft thereim means associated. wansaidlbody memberlfor rotating said shafdthe for ward? portion: of. saidshaft: having a. substantially axiali opening into which opening oneend;of; said: terminal may beinsertedg said forwardiportiomof" saidshaftbeing provided: with. a, groove opening; on the: surface: of: said.shaft and on the. forward: end of. said: shaft. and; extending.substantially" longitudinally of: said: shaft and: substantiallyparallel to: saidiaxiar openingsaidgoove adapted: toliaveinsertedtherein one endzof said wire,- and guiding means for said wire on;thefor-ward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted when saidshaft isv rotated tmsecure the said wire spirally about said one end ofsaid terminal.

5 A hand tool for securing wirerto eleetricterminals comprising a bodymember housing a ro tatable shaft therein, means associated with saidbody member for rotating said: shaft, the forward portion of said shafthaving a circular substantially axial boreinto which boreone endor saidterminal niay be inserted, said forwardportion of' said shaft beingprovided with a groove opening on: the surface ofsaid' shaft and on: theforward endof said shaft and extending substantially longitudinally ofsaid shaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore", said grooveadapted to have inserted therein one end: of said wire. and": guidingmeans for said wire on the forward end of the body of said tool, saidtool adapted when said shaft is rotated: to secure the said wirespirally about said one: end of said terminal.

6. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a bodymember housing a, rotatable shaft therein, means associated with saidbody member for rotating said shaft, the forward portion of said shafthaving a circular substantially axial bore into which bore one end ofsaid terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft beingprovided with a, circular hole opening on the forward end of said shaftand separated radially from said axial bore and extending substantiallylongitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel to said axialbore, said circular hole adapted to have inserted therein one end ofsaid wire and arranged to position said one end of said wiresubstantially parallel to said axial bore, and guiding means for saidwire on the forward end of the body of said tool, said tool adapted whensaid shaft is rotated to grip said one end of said wire by means of saidhole and to drag said wire spirally about said one end of said terminal.

7. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising a bodymember housing a rotatable shaft therein, means associated with saidbody member for rotating said shaft, the forward portion of said shafthaving a circular substantially axial bore into which bore one end ofsaid terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaft beingprovided with a groove opening on the surface of said shaft and on theforward end of said shaft and extending substantially longitudinally ofsaid shaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore, said grooveadapted to have inserted therein one end of said wire, and guiding meansfor said wire on the forward end of the body of said tool, said tooladapted when said shaft is rotated to grip said one end of said wire bymeans of said groove and to drag said wire spirally about said one endof said terminal.

forward end of sai'd: shaft; and extending swbs'tam tialiwlongitudinally of said shaft and sub-stark tialiy parallel'toi saidaidaf bore, saidgroove havifig a forward edge-and adapted to haveinserted? therein one end. of: said wire,:and guida ing means for saidwire oir theforward end, on

the body of said tool, said tool adapted when:v said shaft is rotated togrip said one end of said wire by means of the: sharp edge? of said.groove and to drag said wire spirally about saidv one: end. of saidterminal;

9 A hand: tool for securing wire to el'ectrid terminals comprisin a bodymember housinga rotatable shafttherein, manually operable means forrotating saidshaft, the forward portion of said shaft having a circular'substantially axial here into: bore one end of said terminal", may beinserted, said forward portion of said shaft being provided with: acircular hole openingon the forward of said shaft: and separatedradiayf'rorn' said axialbore and: extending. substanti'a longitudinally ofsaid shaftand substaiitial ly parallel to said axial bore, said:circular hole having a sharp forward edge. and adapted to-have insertedtherein one end of said who and. arranged to position said one end ofsaid wire substantially parallel to said axial bore, and a lug on theforward end of the body of said tool for guiding said wire, said tooladapted when said shaft is rotated to grip said one end of said wire bymeans of the sharp edge of said circular hole and to drag said wirespirally about said one end of said terminal.

10. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising abody member, an arm integral with said body member, a second arm pivotedto said body member, a shaft rotatable within said body member andaccessible through a hole in the forward end of said body member, apinion secured to said shaft, a, rack pivoted to said second arm andengageable with said pinion to rotate said shaft, the forward portion ofsaid shaft provided with a substantially axial bore into which bore oneend of said terminal may be inserted, said forward portion of said shaftbeing provided with a groove opening on the surface of said shaft at theforward end thereof and extending substantially longitudinally of saidshaft and substantially parallel to said axial bore, said groove adaptedto have inserted therein one end of said Wire, and guiding means forsaid wire on the forward end of the body of said tool, said tool adaptedwhen said shaft is rotated by the movement of said second arm to securesaid wire spirally about said one end of said terminal.

11. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising abody member having a slotted jaw, an arm attached to said body member, asecond arm pivoted to said body member, a shaft rotatable within saidbody member and accessible through a hole in the forward end of saidbody member, :a pinion secured to said shaft, a rack pivoted to saidsecond arm and engageable with said pinion to rotate said shaft, theforward portion of said shaft provided with a circular sub- 7 stantiallyaxial bore into which bore one end of said terminal may be inserted,said forward portion of said shaft being provided with a groove openingon the surface of said shaft at the forward end thereof and extendingsubstantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel tosaid axial bore, said groove adapted to have inserted therein throughthe slot in said jaw one end of said wire, and a movable jaw pivoted tothe forward end of the body of said tool to cooperate with said slottedjaw to guide said wire, said tool adapted when said, shaft is rotated togrip said one end of said wire by means of said groove and to drag saidwire spiral-1y about said one end of said terminal.

12. A hand tool for securing wire to electric terminals comprising abody member having a slotted jaw, an arm attached to said body member, asecond arm pivoted to said body member, a shaft rotatable within saidbody member and accessible through a hole in the forward end of saidbody member, a pinion secured to said shaft, a rack pivoted to saidsecond arm and engageable with said pinion to rotate said shaft, theforward portion of said shaft provided with a circular substantiallyaxial bore into which bore one end of said terminal may be inserted,said forward portion of said shaft provided with a groove opening on thesurface of said shaft and on the forward end of said shaft and extendingsubstantially longitudinally of said shaft and substantially parallel tosaid axial bore, said groove having a sharp forward edge and adapted 8to have inserted therein through the slot in said jaw one end of saidwire, a movable jaw pivoted to the forward end of the body of said toolto cooperate with said slotted jaw to guide said wire, said tool adaptedwhen said shaft is rotated to grip said one end of said wire by means ofthe sharp edge of said groove and to drag said wire spirally about saidone end of said terminal, said shaft having a threaded portion on therear end thereof which in cooperation with a mating threaded portion insaid first arm imparts receding motion to said shaft when said shaft isrotated to thereby insure a helical spiral configuration to said securedwire.

HERMAN A. MILOCHE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 207,405 Eberhart Aug. 27, 1878 664,985 Valentine Jan. 1, 1901669,351 Schindel Mar. 5, 1901 746,139 Overholt Dec. 8, 1903 951,454Reichhelm Mar. 8, 1910 972,844 Friday Oct. 18, 1910 1,238,445 SchollAug. 28, 1917 1,249,898 Bush Dec. 11, 1917 1,253,782 Bryan Jan. 15, 19181,261,550 Kilmer Apr. 2, 1918 1,285,578 Anfindsen Nov. 26, 19181,891,664 Brenizer Dec. 20, 1932 2,032,415 Hirsch Mar. 3, 1936.

